Simon Coveney clarifies beef genomic scheme rules

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said farmers will not face penalties for minor non-compliances in the new Beef Data and Genomics Scheme.

The minister said: “Over 5,000 farmers have applied to join and applications are coming in at more than 1,000 per day. This shows beef farmers have decided that engagement with the scheme represents good business planning.

“The scheme remains on target for the envisaged participation rate of 35,000 farmers in total, for which funding of €52m per year has been provided in Dafm’s Rural Development Programme.”